Gateway Technical College's Elkhorn campus to get $3.5 million facelift

Portions of the south building's interior will be reconstructed, and an addition will transform two courtyards into a student life center and dining area.

“We're trying to make it a more student friendly space. The students are why we're here. We never lose sight of that,” said Larry Paruszkiewicz, director of building services for the college's Kenosha, Elkhorn and Burlington campuses.

Plans for renovations and the addition have been in the works for years, Paruszkiewicz said.

The south building, 400 County H, is the original campus building built in 1970. It's had five or six expansions, Paruszkiewicz said.

Energy efficiency wasn't considered when the building was first built. Now, the college wants to upgrade electrical and mechanical systems and create space that's conducive for present and future students.

-- Shifting the entrance about 30 feet to the new student center. The entrance will connect to corridors leading to the classroom wings.

-- Moving the handicapped parking near the new entrance and creating a drop-off and pick-up area.

The second phase will renovate 4,100 square feet on the east side of the south building. It will begin immediately after the first. It's estimated to last until February 2015. It's estimated to cost $1.5 million.

-- Making a new space for the Walworth County Job Center located in a separate building on campus.

-- Improving conference facilities used by the college and community.

-- Roofing, adding a new mechanical system and updating water systems.

Gateway is waiting for the project to be reviewed and approved by the state in the next few weeks. Then the college will get a building permit from Elkhorn. Paruszkiewicz doesn't expect any delays and said the project is on schedule to begin sometime in June.